Miracle man Hiddink leads managerial revolution

Not long after the Fake Sheik scandal ensured Sven-Goran Eriksson's hasty withdrawal from his contractual arrangements with the FA, the Swede was on official England duty at the Euro 2008 draw in Switzerland. His presence at the occasion was conspicuously awkward, considering he would have nothing whatsoever to do with the campaign. But as Eriksson pointed out, plenty of other managers delivering coy soundbites about their team's chances would be replaced by the time the competition began. The only difference was they didn't know it.

Now we are down to business and in England's group alone five out of the seven participants are under new management. Croatia, Russia, Israel and Macedonia, the thorniest obstacles facing Steve McClaren, are also starting afresh.

The man expected to make the most dramatic impact, unsurprisingly, is Guus Hiddink. That the manager whose miracles with South Korea and Australia were not even enough to tempt Brian Barwick into inviting the Dutchman to take part in the FA's great interview fiasco is a massive coup for Russia. Roman Abramovich was directly involved in luring and allegedly financing the deal.

Some were surprised that the planet's most eligible coach, a free agent once the World Cup finished, should choose to take on a nation whose international game has been in a state of deep depression for years. But Hiddink by nature prefers the challenge of inspiring downtrodden, desperate teams to working with ready made superstars who are less inclined to hang on his every word.

That was the case in both his previous overseas adventures. The South Koreans loved him so dearly they named streets after him and made pilgrimages to his home town in Holland. The Socceroos regard 'the Goose' as a hero whose achievements are worthy of a true Aussie. And what of the Russians? Will they buy into the Hiddink formula so readily?

So far there has been one friendly - a last-gasp win over Latvia - to judge. The newspaper Sport-Express was encouraged. 'Was it not like the end of Australia's matches at the World Cup when Hiddink brought on extra forwards to score crucial goals against Japan and Croatia? It was the same here. The national team appears to have woken up.' But truthfully, Russia were not a revelation. They still laboured. 'Maybe it's best that Russia did not show any magic,' added Sport-Express, 'because if they did, then many people, including the players, would take future success for granted thanks to Hiddink's magic wand.'

Russia play their first competitive game under Hiddink on Wednesday week, when Croatia visit Moscow. This is one of Group E's key tussles and the result will give England a clear indication of how many horses will be in the race for Euro 2008.

Croatia's brave new world is being overseen by Slaven Bilic, whose status as a member of the fabled golden generation is enhanced by a growing reputation as a bright young coach. Compared to Hiddink, he is hugely inexperienced. Coaching know-how thus far amounts to one season with Hajduk Split and a spell with Croatia's under-21s. The 38-year...#8209;old is out to impress. 'I can't promise our place in Euro 2008, but I can guarantee our game will improve,' he said. 'We'll play aggressively and faster.'

Another young Balkan is in charge of Macedonia, who lie in wait for England as part of the double header to open this campaign. Srecko Katanec knows how to weld an efficient team from an unfashionable footballing country, having guided Slovenia to Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup while still in his thirties.

Last, but by no means least, is Israel's new man Dror Kashtan. In his early 60s, he is the most decorated coach in Israeli football, but his PR is hopeless. Apparently he seldom smiles and dislikes interviews.

Among the other notable new eras beginning with the Euro 2008 qualifiers, Italy face life after Lippi in the shape of Roberto Donadoni. Legendary player, but a risky choice in terms of managerial experience, he takes the World Cup winners to rendezvous with the defeated finalists in Paris. He won't be taking Marco Matarazzi, however, whose ban prevents the French public from giving the defender a taste of his own medicine in the form of provocative verbals. In Germany, they are curious to see if Joachim Low, Jurgen Klinsmann's assistant at the World Cup, can keep up the good work with a positive start at home to the Republic of Ireland.